QUETTA: A modern public health facility was inaugurated here on Wednesday which will provide free treatment to those suffering from various kidney diseases.

The project jointly delivered by the provincial health department, the Balochistan Institute of Nephro-Urology and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) will cater for the needs of over 14,000 Pakistanis and Afghan refugees with renal diseases every year.

UNHCR representative to Pakistan Ruven­drini Menikdiwela, Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Mir Moham­mad Noor Meskanzai and CEO of the Balochistan Institute of Nephro-Urology Prof Karim Zarkoon were prominent among those who attended the ceremony.

The project has been implemented under the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative — a platform for improving access to quality services for both Afghan refugees and their host communities.

Under the agreement, the provincial government has provided dialysis machines and trained staff while the UNHCR has constructed a building to house the dialysis unit, installed an elevator and centralised the oxygen and air-conditioner systems, as well as provided 15 modern hospital beds.

The facility is unique in Balochistan and currently treats 60 patients suffering from renal diseases every day. With the new dialysis unit, an average of 45 additional patients who require haemodialysis will be treated free-of-cost each day.

It currently costs Rs6,000 ($50) per patient, per session. All chronic patients need dialysis between two and three times a week.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2018